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R. NAYSMITH.

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GAS.

Patented May 14, 1889.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. NAYSMITH. APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTIONOF GAS- No. 403283. Patented May '14, 1889. I

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- by either solid or gaseous fuel and support ing-surface aspracticable, said retorts pass- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT NAYSMITH, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TOARTHUR J. IVILKINSON, OF SAME PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GAS SPECIFICATION forming part ofLetters Patent No. 403,283, dated May 14, 1889.

Application filed August 4, 1888.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ROBERT NAYSMITH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pitts burg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inApparatus for the Production of Gas, of which improvements the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for the manufacture of heating andilluminating gas of the class in which steam, air, and the volatileconstituents of oil are combined in suitable proportions, and by theapplication of a proper degree of heat a fixed gas is generated; and theobject of the invention is to provide an apparatus of such known generaltype which can be readily and inexpensively erected and renewal orrepair of itsmembers effected, as from time to time required, and 1n theoperation of which a more thorough and perfect combination andutilization of the gas-generating elements may be attained than hasheretofore been ordinarily practicable.

To this end my invention consists in certain novel devices andcombinations hereinafter fully set forth In the accompanying drawings,Figure 1 is an end view, in elevation, of a gas-generating apparatusembodying my invention; Fig. 2, a vertical longitudinal section throughthe same, and Fig. 3 a sectional view illustrating a modification of thedistributor of the feed or mixing box.

In the practice of my invention I provide a suitable furnace, 3, whichmay be heated upon its opposite sides or ends a feeding or distributingbox or case, 1, and a separating or delivery box, 2. The boxes 1 and 2are connected by a multiple series of tubular retorts, 4, ofcomparatively small diameter, in order to provide as large an amount ofheating through the furnace and having their ends fitted intocorresponding openings in the adjacent Walls of the boxes 1 and 2, theirjoints with which are packed with asbestus or other suitable refractorymaterial. The retorts 4 are supported by iron frames 5, secureddetachably to the walls of the furnace by bolts, and the boxes 1 and 2are similarly secured to the frames 5.

Serial No. 281,988. (No model.)

The boxes 1 and 2 are provided with removable cover-plates 6 and 7 bywhich access to the retorts is permitted for inspection, cleaning, orother purposes, and the coverplate of the separating-box 2 is providedwith a man-hole closed by a suitable plate, 8, to

admit of the removal of such residuum as may not escape through a trap,9, which is connected to the lower end of the box and to a pipe leadingto a proper receptacle. The separating-box 2 is likewise provided with adischarge-pipe leading to a gas-holder, 10, for the collection andsubsequent distribution of the gas produced.

Two U-shaped superheaters, 11 12, are supported in the furnace 3 abovethe retorts 4, one of which, 11, serves for the superheating of steam,and the other, 12, for that of air. A steam-s11 pply pipe, 13, leadingfrom a boiler, is connected to one end of the steam-superheater 11, theopposite end of which is connected by a pipe, 14, with the feeding ordistributing box 1. An air-supply pipe, 13, leading from a blower orother suitable source of supply of air under pressure, is connected toone end of the air-superheater 12, the opposite end of which isconnected by a pipe, 14", with the feeding or distributing box. Anoil-supply pipe, 15, is led into the pipe 14, the oil supplied throughthe pipe 15 being vaporized by the superheated steam passing through thepipe 14 and entering the box 1 therewith.

In order to distribute the mingled air, steam, and oil conducted intothe boxl by the pipes 14, 14, and 15 with substantial uniformity to theseveral retorts 4 of the multiple series connected to the boxes'l and 2,curved deflector-plates 16 are secured to the inner wall of the box 1,the action of which plates is to divide and distribute the currents ofair, steam, and oil-vapor throughout the series of retorts, therebyeffecting a more thorough commingling and distribution for heating ofthese elements. In lieu of the defiector-plates, a fan, 17, may, asshown in Fig. 3, be mounted in a bearing in the box 1 in such positionas to be rotated by the entering currents of air, steam, and oil-vapor,and by such rotation to effect their commingling and distribution.

In the passage of the commingled air, steam, and vaporized oil throughthe series of retorts they are subjected to the heat of the furnace,which, by reason of the large extent of surface and subdivision of thecurrents afforded by the provision of a series of tubular retorts ofsmall diameter, is thoroughly and effectively applied and the loss ofhydrocarbon elements materially reduced as compared with the ordinarypractice. The resultant fixed gas passes from the retorts, through thebox 2, into the holder, and any residuum which may be separated iscollected in the box 2, and, dropping to the bottom, flows out throughthe trap 9, or maybe removed through the man-hole.

To facilitate the manufacture, two separate series of retorts, eachconnected to a distributing and a separating or delivery box, arepreferably employed, in which case the superheaters l1 and 12 areconnected with each of the distributing-boxes 1, as shown in Fig. 1, andeach of the'separating or delivery boxes is connected to the gas-holder10. Under such construction the manufacture of gas may be conducted bythe employment of one series of retorts while the other is under repairor otherwise temporarily out of use. It will be seen that as each retortis supported by the frames 5 independently of the others the removal ofthe box 1 from its frame admits of the removal and insertion of one ormore retorts, as may be required, without interference with theremaining retorts of the series. Further, in the event of thedestruction of one of the retorts, the cover-plates 6 and 7 of the boxes1 and 2 may be removed and the ends of the broken retort suitablyplugged.

In order to insure the separation and collection of any unvaporized oilwhich may be carried into the separating-box 2 with the gas, adeflecting-plate, 18, is secured at its top to the inner wall of the box2, above the upper row of retorts, and extends downwardly below thelower row, said plate deflecting the products passing out of the retortstoward the bottom of the box, the gas passing upwardly on the outer sideof the deflectingplate, and the residuum being deposited on the bottomof the box, whence it passes off through the trap 9, or is withdrawnthrough the man-hole.

I am aware that apparatus embodying a gas-generating retort adapted tobe supplied with oil and with air and steam led into the retort fromseparate superheaters was known in the art at the date of my invention,and said devices, as well as their combination, broadly, I thereforedistinctly disclaim. I am not, however, aware that the structuralfeatures of improvement which characterize my invention, as hereindescribed and shown, have been heretofore either proposed or employed,nor that the useful results produced thereby have been equallyattainable under prior constructions.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent--- 1. Ina gas-producing apparatus, the combination of a furnace, afeeding-boxand a delivery box fixed, respectively, on opposite sides of saidfurnace, a multiple series of tubular retorts passing through thefurnace an d communicating at their opposite ends with the feeding anddelivery boxes, and an oilpipe, a steam-pipe, and an air-pipe, eachleading into the feeding-box, and frames fixed to the sides of thefurnace and supporting said retorts adjacent to their ends andindependently one of the other, substantially as set forth. 1

2. In a gas-producing apparatus, the combination of a furnace, afeeding-box and a deliverybox fixed, respectively, on opposite sides ofsaid furnace, a multiple series of tubular retorts passing through thefurnace and communicating at their opposite ends with the feeding anddelivery boxes, an oil-pipe, a steam-pipe, and an air-pipe, each leadinginto the feeding-box, and frames fixed to the sides of the furnace andsupporting said retorts with the capacity of independent insertion andremoval upon the detachment of the feeding-box, substantially as setforth.

3. In a gas-producing apparatus, the combination of a furnace, afeeding-box and a (lelivery -box fixed, respectively, on opposite sidesof said furnace, a multiple series of tubular retorts passing throughthe furnace and communicating at their opposite ends with the feedingand delivery boxes, an oil-pipe, a steam-pipe, and an air-pipe, eachleading into the feeding-box, and a mixer and distributer located withinthe feeding-box, substantially as set forth.

4. In agas-producing apparatus, the combination of a furnace, afeeding-box and a delivery-box fixed, respectively, on opposite sides ofthe furnace,a multiple series of tubular retorts passing through thefurnace and communicating at their opposite ends with the feeding anddelivery boxes, an oil-pipe, a steam-pipe, and an air-pipe, each leadinginto the feeding-box, a discharge-pipe leading out of the upper portionof the deliverybox, and a deflecting-plate projecting downwardly in thedelivery-box between the ends of the retorts and the discharge-pipe,substantially as set forth.

5. In a gas-producing apparatus, the combination of a furnace, twoseparate series of tubular retorts passing through the furnace, theretorts of each series communicating at their opposite ends with afeeding-box and a delivery-box, respectively, steam and air superheaterslocated in the furnace and communieatin g by pipes with thefeeding-boxes of both series of retorts, and oil-pipes leading into saidfeeding-boxes, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ROBERT NAYSMITI l.

W'itnesses:

J. LINCOLN RALPH, DARWIN S. WoLooTr.

